Fig. 4

Effects of Macleaya cordata extract on the mRNA levels of immune-related genes in the jejunum of broiler chickens with necrotic enteritis. The mRNA levels of TLR2, TLR4 and NF-κB (A) in the jejunum were analyzed by RT‒PCR. The mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-10, IL-17 and IFN-γ (B) in the jejunum were analyzed by RT‒PCR. The IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio in the jejunum (C) was calculated by dividing the mRNA level of IFN-γ by the mRNA level of IL-4. The IL-17/IL-10 ratio in the jejunum (C) was calculated by dividing the mRNA level of IL-17 by the mRNA level of IL-10. The mRNA levels of IgA, pIgR and MHC-II (D) in the jejunum were analyzed by RT‒PCR. All the data are presented as the mean, with the standard deviation (SD) shown with whiskers. The main effect and interaction effects were analyzed using the general linear model (GLM) procedure, with the P values for the main effects written out below each plot. One-way ANOVA and multiple comparisons were performed when interactive effects were significantly different. The lowercase letters on the bar charts indicate significant differences (P < 0.05). NC: negative control group; MCE: 350 mg/kg MCE without NE group; PC: positive control group; NEMCE: 350 mg/kg MCE with NE group